Lace up your sneakers for these 11 fall races in the Ozarks, including 5Ks and marathons
On your mark. Get set. Go! If you're looking to explore the Ozarks while staying active this fall, plenty of local organizations are hosting fun runs (and walks) through the end of the year.
Trailfest in Highlandville and the Oktoberfest Historic River District 5K in Ozark provide runners and walkers of all ages with scenic pathways and fun after-race activities. Later in the year, Springfield's annual Turkey Trot and Santa's Christmas Explosion Run celebrate both outdoor activity and the holiday season — fun for the whole family.
Or maybe you're a more experienced runner looking to up the ante with a half or full marathon race. In that case, there are plenty of options this fall, too, including the Bass Pro Shops Conservation Marathon, which serves as a Boston Marathon qualifier.
No matter your age or skill ability, there are plenty of different fun races to participate in this fall, and the News-Leader compiled a list of 11 of them.
Girls Just Wanna Run
When: Saturday, Sept. 23 (virtual)
Race start: Classic Rock Coffee at 1900 W. Sunset St.
A benefit for the CoxHealth Foundation, Girls Just Wanna Run is virtual this year, which means participants can run and/or walk anytime on Sept. 23, not at a set start time with others. Folks may participate in one-mile or 5K races near Classic Rock Coffee on Sunset Street.
Participants who register for the race before Sept. 16 receive event bibs and t-shirts, while supplies last. All participants receive finisher medals. Participants may show their race bibs at Classic Rock Coffee on the morning of Sept. 23 to receive 10% off orders.
Registration is available online at runsignup.com/Race/MO/Springfield/GIRLSJUSTWANNARUNWALK. Registration is $35 for both the one mile and 5K races.
Vision Clinic's Fun Run
When: Saturday, Sept. 30 at 8 a.m.
Race start: Vision Clinic at 3440 S. National Ave.
Springfield's Vision Clinic is hosting its 12th annual Fun Run this year, featuring 5K and one-mile run/walk races. The event benefits Optometry Giving Sight, an organization dedicated to providing eye care in underserved communities. Pets are welcome to join the races too.
Registration is available online at myvisionclinic.com/about-us/vision-clinic-5k/.
Pound the Pavement for Parkinson's
When: Saturday, Sept. 30 at 8:30 a.m.
Race start: Graceway Baptist Church at 5010 S. Farm Road 135
Held annually, Pound the Pavement for Parkinson's benefits the Parkinson's Group of the Ozarks. Runners and walkers may participate in one-mile or 5K races. The 5K race starts at Graceway Baptist Church, heads west on Weaver Road to McBride Elementary and loops back.
Registration is available online at runsignup.com/Race/MO/Springfield/PoundthePavement. Registration is $30 before race day and $35 day-of for both races.
Fast and Furriest
When: Saturday, Oct. 7 at 10 a.m.
Race start: Tie & Timber Beer Co. at 1451 E. Cherry St.
Rescue One is hosting its ninth annual Fast and Furriest race this fall. Participants may run and/or walk a 5K race on their own or with a furry friend. A one-mile race is also available. The races begin and end at Tie & Timber Beer Co., weaving through the Rountree Neighborhood.
The 5K and one-mile races include participation medals and t-shirts. Pups that join in on the fun will receive bandanas. Awards will be distributed for 5K runners.
Registration is available online at runsignup.com/Race/MO/Springfield/AnnualFastandFurriest5k. Registration is $30 for the 5K, $35 for the 5K with a dog and $25 for the one-mile race.
Trailfest
When: Sunday, Oct. 8 at 8 a.m.
Race start: Two Rivers Mountain Bike Park at 5055 2 Rivers Road in Highlandville
Returning for another year, Trailfest offers rocky and hilly terrain for hard-core runners and families who simply wish to enjoy a stroll in nature. Trailfest offers 5K, 10K and half-marathon races.
Following the races, Public House Brewing Co. and Ozark Beer Co. will provide two free beverages to participants who are 21 and up and walking tacos will be available for all runners for free. Awards will be distributed to the top three female and male finishers in all races.
Registration is available online at runsignup.com/Race/MO/Highlandville/FleetFeetTrailfest. Registration is $45 for the 5K, $55 for the 10K and $65 for the half marathon.
Oktoberfest Historic River District 5K
When: Saturday, Oct. 14 at 10 a.m.
Race start: Ozark Career Center at 802 W. Jackson St.
Ozark's Historic River District is hosting its second annual Oktoberfest this fall, which includes both a morning 5K race and evening beer run. The 5K race kicks off at 10 a.m. at the Ozark Career Center and the beer run starts on the downtown square at 5:30 p.m.
In addition to the races, the Oktoberfest celebration will include beer from local breweries, live music, a cornhole tournament, pie-eating contest and plenty of other family-friendly activities and vendors.
Race registration is available online at runsignup.com/Race/MO/Ozark/OktoberfestHRD5k. Registration is $25 for the 5K, $20 for the beer run and $40 for the 5K and beer run combo.
Bass Pro Shops Conservation Marathon
When: Sunday, Nov. 5 at 7 a.m.
Race start: Bass Pro Shops at 1935 S. Campbell Ave.
The Bass Pro Fitness Series Conservation Marathon is a Boston Marathon qualifier, ideal for first-time competitors and seasoned athletes. Local, regional, national and international runners make it out for the annual race. Marathon, half-marathon, 5K and one-mile races will be held.
The race winds through paved trails, historic Route 66, Missouri State University's campus and downtown Springfield. The majority of the course is flat. Each participant receives a t-shirt and participation medal.
Awards will be distributed to the top three female and male finishers in all races. Cash prizes will be awarded to top marathon finishers. First place receives $1,000, second place $500 and third place $250.
Registration is available online at fitness.basspro.com. Registration is $95 through Sept. 30, $105 between Oct. 1 and Nov. 2 and $115 day-of.
Turkey Scramble
When: Thursday, Nov. 23 at 8:30 a.m.
Race start: Ozark Community Center at 1530 W. Jackson St.
Ozark's Turkey Scramble benefits 417Running's Christmas with a Cop program and GC Ozark Day with the Mayor and Ozark Police. The scramble offers a 5K race, 10K race and 5K race with a canine friend. The races start and finish at the Ozark Community Center, providing a view of the river and Ozark's business district. All participants who register before Nov. 12 will receive a Turkey Scramble t-shirt and all race finishers will receive participation medals.
Gift cards and trophies will be presented to first place in several age categories. Refreshments and door prize drawings will be available after the races.
Registration is available online at runsignup.com/Race/MO/Ozark/TurkeyScramble. Registration is $30 for the 5K, $35 for the 10K and $30 for the 5K with a dog.
Turkey Trot 5K
When: Thursday, Nov. 23 at 8 a.m.
Race start: Downtown Springfield
The Springfield-Greene County Park Board is hosting its 29th annual Turkey Trot this Thanksgiving. The 5K race, which can be run or walked, benefits the Developmental Center of the Ozarks and park board's Youth Recreation Scholarship Fund.
The race begins at at the intersection of John Q. Hammons Parkway and St. Louis Street, weaves around downtown and concludes on Kimbrough Avenue between Billiards of Springfield and the Abou Ben Adhem Shrine Mosque.
Registration is available online at parkboard.org/624/29th-Annual-Turkey-Trot. Registration is $25 for adults and $20 for children 12 and up until Nov. 17. Same-day registration is $35 for adults and $30 for children 12 and up.
Springfield Santa Run
When: Saturday, Dec. 9 at 8 a.m.
Race start: Relics Event Center at 2015 W. Battlefield Road Suite E
New this year, participants of the Springfield Santa Run will be given a five-piece Santa suit to wear throughout the 5K race. Following the race, hot chocolate, marshmallows and other snacks will be available.
Registration is available online for $40 at runsignup.com/Race/MO/Springfield/SpringfieldSantaRun2018.
Santa's Christmas Explosion Run
When: Friday, Dec. 15 at 5:30 p.m.
Race Start: Hammons Tower at 901 E. St Louis St.
Benefiting The Salvation Army, the Santa's Christmas Explosion Run includes 5K, 10K and one-mile races. Starting and concluding at Hammons Tower, the races snake around downtown. Each participant will receive a custom pair of Christmas pajama pants, an LED Christmas bulb necklace and cup of hot chocolate.
Geared up on a motorcycle, The Grinch will lead the 5K and 10K races and Cindy Lou Who will lead the one-mile race. Characters will be available after all of the races for photos.
Registration is available online at runsignup.com/Race/MO/Springfield/SantasCHRISTMASEXPLOSIONRun. Registration is $35 for the 5K, $45 for the 10K and $25 for the one-mile race.
How long is a 5K, 10K, half marathon and marathon?
5K: 3.1 miles
10K: 6.2 miles
Half marathon: 13.1 miles
Full marathon: 26.2 miles
Greta Cross is the trending topics reporter for the Springfield News-Leader. Follow her on X and Instagram @gretacrossphoto. Story idea? Email her at gcross@gannett.com.
This article originally appeared on Springfield News-Leader: Mark your calendars for these 11 races in the Ozarks through 2023
